Relatives of Pc Nicola Hughes have spoken of their shock and anger at losing a ‘fantastic’ girl. Cousin Naomi Walker, 24, from Scouthead, Oldham, described her as ‘amazing’.

Relatives of Pc Nicola Hughes have spoken of their shock and anger at losing a ‘fantastic’ girl. Cousin Naomi Walker, 24, from Scouthead, Oldham, described her as ‘amazing’.

She said: "Our mums were pregnant at the same time and I have known her all my life.

"She would do anything for anyone. She honestly could not do enough for you. She used to invite me round for tea and before we went out she’d invite me around to hers to get ready together."

Naomi added that Nicola, 23, had always dreamed of becoming a police officer.

She said: "She had always wanted to be in the police. It was really hard for her to get in and she had to do lots of training. I’ll never forget when she got in. She was thrilled and was texting everyone. She had to do some crazy shifts but she loved it."

Naomi described Nicola as ‘one of the bravest people I know’. She said: "Nicky never really spoke about the dangers of it and she was never scared.

"She could look after herself, did karate, and she was really brave. Since she became a police officer, she was the happiest I had seen her."

Naomi added that her tragic death had hit her friends and family hard.

She said: "It’s a shock and it hasn’t sunk in yet. I keep seeing Nicky’s picture on the TV and I can’t believe it.

"Her brother, Sam, is in bits about it. I think he wants to be a police officer too."

Naomi said that Nicky was ‘the life and soul of the party’.

She added: "Nicky knew everyone and whenever we went out people would say here she is. My friends used to call her my crazy cousin. She was really bubbly and a real girly girl. She loved her dresses and shoes.

"We were having drinks at my house on Saturday night but she said she couldn’t come because she was on shift at 5am. We were going to go out tonight instead.

"She used to work at the Bull’s Head in Delph and all her friends went thereafter she died. It would have been her birthday on October 16 and we will do something for her then because she would have been doing something herself."

Naomi’s father, Steve, 47, from Watersheddings, Oldham, was Nicola’s father Bryn’s best man.

He said: "We are in Turkey at the moment and we got a call telling us what had happened. We put the news on and her picture came up on the screen.

"I spoke to Bryn and he said that his world has been ripped apart. He was coherent but he was in bits. It’s horrendous. She was a joy, so bubbly and lively. She had her dad's wit and was always making fun of me."

Steve added: "She was just a nice, down to earth girl who was full of life and would light up a room. It’s a huge loss to anyone who knew her."

Steve said: "I think in cases like this, there should be the death penalty. It’s a strange society. I don’t know what has gone on but to kill two innocent police officers, well, it’s hard to comprehend."

One of Nicola’s former teachers described her as ‘a model pupil’ who had ‘all the attributes’ needed to become a police officer.

Retired teacher Eddie Barton was her form tutor at Saddleworth School, near Oldham, which Nicola attended until 2005. He has spoken of the community’s shock and paid tribute to Nicola who he described as ‘a cracking girl’.

"She was just a good all-round student," Mr Barton said. "Very enthusiastic, mature and collected. The very fact that she became a police officer was testament to the way in which she went about things."

He added: "She was a cracking girl, very hard-working and never in trouble – which is why she did not come to my attention very often.

"She was dependable and reliable and you could always count on her to do the right thing.

"She was the kind of person that you would entrust your life with. She was always immaculately dressed and well behaved.

"There were never any problems with her, no fuss. She was a very endearing person and it’s awful that she has gone."

Nicola’s devastated family spoke of their grief at losing the officer, who joined the force in 2009. In a joint statement, they said: "Nicola was our only daughter and a beautiful child. She was always happy with life and lived for her family.

"She had an infectious personality and sense of humour and was a very caring and loving girl.

"When she left the house she was going to the job she loved.

"Nicola always wanted to make a difference and, in doing so, she made such a big difference to everyone she knew. She cared about everyone and especially her colleagues.

"Nicola was only 23-years-old and had the whole of her life in front of her.

"We cannot express how we feel today except to say we have always been exceedingly proud of Nicola and always will be. She knew she was loved by us all and we shall all miss her dreadfully."

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